Apple updates its entire iMac family

Apple has updated the entire iMac family, bringing a Retina 4K display to the 21.5-inch iMac for the first time and the Retina 5K display to every 27-inch iMac. The revved all-in-ones also sport more powerful processors and graphics, two Thunderbolt 2 ports and new storage options.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available with the all-new Retina 4K display featuring 4096 x 2304 resolution and 9.4 million pixels, 4.5 times more than the standard 21.5-inch iMac display. Every 27-inch iMac now comes with a Retina 5K display with 14.7 million pixels, seven times more pixels than an HD display.

The new Retina 5K and 4K displays feature a wider P3-based color gamut that provides a 25 percent larger color space, and with more available colors, images are more vivid, reveal even greater detail and appear more lifelike than ever, says Schiller.

The new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display now comes with sixth-generation Intel Core processors and the latest AMD high-performance graphics that deliver up to 3.7 teraflops of compute power. The new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display features a fifth-generation Intel Core processor and enhanced Intel Iris Pro Graphics. Two Thunderbolt 2 ports now come standard on all iMacs and deliver up to 20Gbps data transfer speeds for external drives and high-performance peripherals. And three stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi allows iMac to support up to 1.3Gbps wireless networking.

The Fusion Drive — which Apple says combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash — is now more affordable with a new, lower-priced configuration that pairs a 1TB hard drive with 24GB of fast flash. Fusion Drive is also available with 2TB and 3TB configurations with 128GB of fast flash for more demanding workloads. For the ultimate in storage performance, optional all flash storage is available up to 1TB and is now up to 2.5 times faster.

Apple has also introduced a new lineup of wireless accessories including the all-new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2. The Magic devices have been redesigned to feel more comfortable than ever, and feature rechargeable batteries that completely eliminate the need for disposable batteries, according to Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. The new Magic Trackpad 2 also brings Apple’s Force Touch interface to the desktop.

The new Magic Keyboard features a full-size keyboard in a sleek new design that takes up 13 percent less space on your desktop. With a new scissor mechanism and lower profile, the Magic Keyboard provides an “incredibly stable, precise and comfortable typing experience,” says Schiller.

The new Magic Mouse 2 is lighter, sturdier and features an optimized foot design for a smoother glide. The new Magic Trackpad 2 features a 29 percent larger surface and brings Force Touch to the desktop for the first time. Force Touch enables a range of new ways to interact with your Mac, including the new Force click to quickly look up a word, preview a file or bring up a map from an address. The new Magic devices pair instantly with your Mac as soon as they are plugged in via the Lightning-to-USB charging cable, and can last about a month or more on a full charge, according to Apple.

The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is available at Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 27-inch iMac comes in three models starting at US$1,799, $1,999 and $2,299. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available today at Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available in three models starting at $1,099 and $1,299 and with a Retina 4K display starting at $1,499. Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

Every new iMac comes standard with the new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, and customers can order the new Magic Trackpad 2 as an option. The new Magic accessories are also available at Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The Magic Keyboard is available for $99. The Magic Mouse 2 is available for $79. And the Magic Trackpad 2 is available for $129.